Monday 1st March 2021

Safety News Roundup: Monday 1st March 2021

This Monday 1st March 2021 update brings two significant safety stories for professionals across construction, manufacturing, and workplace health sectors. First, an industrial waste dumping case resulted in a hefty fine, and second, a new psychosocial risk assessment platform launched nationally for Australian workplaces.

Man Fined $10,000 for Illegal Industrial Waste Disposal

Failure to dispose of waste correctly resulted in a man being fined $10,000. He faced this penalty and was ordered to pay over $4000 in court costs for failing to properly dispose of industrial waste.

Authorities also ordered clean-up of the waste by 18 August 2021 to prevent further penalties from being imposed.

The charges related to two separate breaches:

• Placing industrial waste at a premise not licensed for that purpose
• Failing to comply with a Clean Up Notice requiring removal of waste for proper disposal

EPA North West Regional Manager Dr Scott Pigdon stated, "EPA takes a zero-tolerance approach to the illegal dumping of waste," adding that "illegal stockpiling of waste is an unacceptable hazard, and any landholder has a duty to understand their responsibilities to the environment and the community."

Full details of this case are available on the EPA website. Businesses handling hazardous materials should review their safety documentation and compliance procedures to avoid similar penalties.

New Psychosocial Risk Assessment Tool Launched Across Australia

On 26 March 2021—following its unveiling in late February—Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities Chair Martyn Campbell launched a free digital platform dedicated to mentally healthy workplaces.

Known as "People at Work," this tool helps organisations identify, assess, and control psychological health and safety risks affecting employees nationwide.

Mr Campbell explained, "Workplaces have a duty to protect the psychological health of workers in the same way they protect their physical safety."

People at Work now functions as a far more user-friendly digital platform, enabling Australian businesses to identify and manage work-related psychosocial hazards without requiring an expert to interpret assessment results.

Key Features of the Platform

The system offers an easy-to-follow five-step process, complete with:

• Practical resources for workplace implementation
• Interactive learning modules
• Self-administered survey tools
• Automated custom reports for quick analysis

Organisations can access this resource via the People at Work link, with further details available on the WorkSafe QLD website. Companies seeking to strengthen their broader risk management approach may also benefit from reviewing related safety updates from mid-March 2021.

Why These Updates Matter for Safety Professionals

Both stories highlight growing regulatory attention on environmental compliance and mental health obligations within Australian workplaces. Technical professionals should stay informed on evolving standards, since penalties for non-compliance—whether environmental or psychosocial—continue to increase in scope and severity.

For more news from this period, explore our coverage from 22nd March 2021 and 29th March 2021, where we continue tracking safety compliance developments up to date.